The short answer
In the United States, standard loose-leaf notebook paper is usually US Letter size, which is 8.5 by 11 inches (about 216 by 279 mm). Many spiral and bound notebooks use the same page size, but not all notebooks do. Composition books, legal pads, pocket notebooks and international A4, A5 and B5 notebooks have different dimensions. Sizes can also vary slightly by maker, so check the product details when an exact fit matters.
Letter size and notebook paper
US Letter is the everyday office paper size in the US, Canada and a few other countries. Loose-leaf (filler) paper for three-ring binders is typically cut to the same overall size, then punched with holes along one edge. Many college-ruled and wide-ruled spiral notebooks also use 8.5 by 11 inch pages, although some are slightly smaller, such as 10.5 by 8 inch versions. When a listing doesn’t say, look for the dimensions.
Line spacing differs by type. Wide ruled has more space between lines, and college ruled has narrower spacing. Exact line spacing differs slightly between manufacturers.
Other common US notebook sizes
| Type | Typical size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Letter notebook or filler paper | 8.5 x 11 in | Common for binders and class notes |
| Legal pad | Often about 8.5 x 11.75 in | Narrower tear-off pads; true legal paper is 8.5 x 14 in |
| Junior or memo pad | Often about 5 x 8 in | Check the label, since sizes differ |
| Composition notebook | About 7.5 x 9.75 in | Stitched binding and marbled cover |
| Pocket notebook | Often about 3.5 x 5.5 in | Small, for quick notes |
These are common dimensions rather than strict standards, and brands vary.
International sizes: A4, A5, A6 and B5
Most of the world uses ISO paper sizes. The A-series is consistent: each size is half the one before it, so A5 is half of A4 and A6 is half of A5.
| Size | Millimeters | Inches (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | 210 x 297 | 8.27 x 11.69 |
| A5 | 148 x 210 | 5.83 x 8.27 |
| A6 | 105 x 148 | 4.13 x 5.83 |
| A7 | 74 x 105 | 2.91 x 4.13 |
| ISO B5 | 176 x 250 | 6.93 x 9.84 |
| ISO B6 | 125 x 176 | 4.92 x 6.93 |
| JIS B5 (Japan) | 182 x 257 | 7.17 x 10.12 |
| JIS B6 (Japan) | 128 x 182 | 5.04 x 7.17 |
The B-series has two versions. Japan’s JIS standard uses the same names, such as B5, for slightly larger sheets than the ISO version, so check which one a notebook uses before you buy.
If you need to know A1 in centimeters, it is 59.4 by 84.1 cm (594 by 841 mm). A0 is one square meter in area, and each step down halves the sheet.
Letter vs A4
A4 is a little narrower and a little taller than US Letter, so the two are close but not identical. This can matter when:
- Printing a document made for one size on the other. Use “fit to page” or “scale to fit” in print settings so edges do not get cut off.
- Putting A4 pages into a US binder, or letter pages into an A4 folder. The fit may be a bit loose or tight.
- Buying refills, covers or sleeves for planners and notebooks.
Page size is not the same as notebook size
Dimensions in a listing may describe the page or the outer cover. The cover is usually a little larger than the pages inside it, and thick or padded covers add more. If a notebook needs to fit a bag pocket or a sleeve, check the cover dimensions, not just the paper size.
What is a composition notebook?
A composition notebook is a bound notebook with a stitched or glued spine, a stiff cover often in a black-and-white marbled pattern, and ruled pages. It is common in schools, and its pages are usually smaller than letter size. People sometimes use “composition book” for any notebook of this style, while “journal” tends to refer to a notebook used for personal writing.
What about M5 paper?
M5 does not appear to be a widely recognized standard paper size, and it may be a brand-specific or regional name. If a product is listed with an unfamiliar size name, check the dimensions given by the manufacturer or the seller rather than assuming.
How to choose a size
- Desk work and detailed planning: A4 or letter gives the most space.
- Daily notes and journaling: A5 or a similar mid-size notebook is a popular balance of room and portability.
- Pocket notes and lists: A6 or smaller.
- More room than A5 without full-page size: B5 (check ISO or JIS).
- Binder use: match the page size and hole punching to your binder.
Paper quality matters as much as size. Thin pages can show ink through the back, and some pens bleed on absorbent sheets (if you write with a fountain pen, our guide to the best paper for fountain pen writing goes deeper); see our explanation of whether paper is porous. For weights and finishes beyond notebooks, see the guide to craft paper types.
Tips for craft and journaling projects
- If you cut or trim pages for scrapbooking or junk journals, use a ruler and a sharp blade on a cutting mat, and cut away from your body. Keep blades away from small children.
- Check punched holes and binder sizes before cutting pages.
- Test your pen or marker on the last page or a scrap before committing to a notebook.
FAQ
Is notebook paper the same as printer paper? Often the same size, but notebook paper is usually thinner and may be ruled or three-hole punched.
Is a legal pad the same as legal paper? Not exactly. Legal pads are often shorter than true legal-size paper.
Is A4 bigger than letter? A4 is slightly taller and slightly narrower than letter, so the two are about the same overall.